Monday, September 12, 2011

Sabriel Kicks Ass

One of my favorite authors, Garth Nix, is having a contest.  I kind of almost didn't want to tell you guys because naturally I want to win it and I don't want you all running to enter.  But the only way to win is to write a review/musing of one of his books online.  Plus if I could enlighten you all about this book and how completely and totally awesome it is, I'll jump at the chance!

If you have ever been a 14 year old girl, you know how awesome it is to read books with strong female characters.  If you have never been a 14 year old girl...just pretend.  Besides I'm pretty sure 14 year old boys love kick-ass male characters so you know what it's like.  And if you are a 14 year old boy and you love kick-ass female characters?  You are going to go far in life, my friend.

Anyway, when I was in Junior High I was at a point in my life where I devoured books with independent, kick butt female characters (side note: I'm 30 and I STILL devour YA books with independent, kick butt female characters).  She had to be strong, witty, smart, (and beautiful of course).  I loved to get lost in a completely different world, leave my worries behind and pretend I was that girl in which there was always a romance and always some kind of epic battle.

Photo Credit - Garth Nix
I picked up Sabriel by Garth Nix around that time.  It had all the elements I wanted in a fantasy.  A main character, Sabriel, that was smart, had magical abilities (she could walk in death- how cool is that??), she was independent and actually rescued the love interest (not once, but twice!), Touchstone, whom annoyed her at first but she soon grew fond of.  I mean, how awesome is that?  Now this was a character I wanted to be like!  She wasn't a snively little whiny-butt who could do nothing without a man.  She took matters into her own hands and controlled the dead with the ring of a bell.

After reading this book, I knew some day I wanted to be a fantasy writer.  It changed my life because of how vivid his storytelling and characters are.  How it made me feel after reading it.  How I kept thinking about it after putting it down.  How I devoured any little anthology with stories taking place in that world after the trilogy had come out.  I wanted to make readers feel the same way I felt after reading that book. I wanted my main characters to be like Sabriel.

Garth Nix was one of the first pioneers of strong YA female protagonists.  I will be forever thankful to him for inspiring me to make up fantastical worlds with girls who kick some serious booty.  The time of the Damsel in Distress is long gone.  In her place is the girl who saves the Prince in Distress.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Haven't read Gareth Nix but from the sound of this, probably I should.

Michael Di Gesu said...

HI, Abby,

IT's been AGES! I've missed you and I am glad you resurfaced from all your editing. I hope it all went well.

I've been going nuts catching up. I was in Canada on vacation for almost two weeks and got back less than a week ago and I am still so far behind.

IF you get a chance drop by my blog. I've posted dozens of pics of Niagara Falls, Montreal, and Quebec City. It was an awesome time.

I am also hosting a new fun blogfest, "What I did this summer." Just like we did when returning back to school. Remember writing those compositions? I do.

I hope you're well. Oh, Great review BTW. I'm glad you found such a fantastic role models in Garth Nix heroines.

Jennie Bailey said...

Yay! You're back! :-) I won't enter since I know you want to win! I think I was so surprised that a man wrote a strong female character that saved a boy twice! Such a great book!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Hey Abby! Glad you're back. Cool you found a writer to inspire you to write.

Talli Roland said...

Wow, Gareth sounds amazing! After this, I have to check him out.

Colene Murphy said...

Yeay! Very awesome. Yes, Garth Nix is incredible. This book/series is incredible. And I want to run home and read it again, for the billionth time, right now!

Meredith said...

How have I never read this book??? I'll get right on that. Beautiful post!

alexia said...

Sounds like a great book! Good luck in the contest!

Jennifer Hillier said...

Welcome back, girl!

This book sounds fantastic. I didn't read nearly enough books with strong female characters when I was a teenager, and I wished I did. I could have used the inspiration. Great review.

*^_^* said...

Glad you're back! ;D
We all are always here to support you.

Anonymous said...

I'm not entering the contest, but I wanted to say GOOD LUCK to you. Hope you win!

KM Nalle said...

I've never read Nix, but you make him sound brilliant! What a wonderful inspiration. Good luck in the contest.

Tara said...

Oh, I have ventured into fantasy with my story - this sounds like one I must read!

M Pax said...

Sounds like a great story. I love strong, independent female characters, too.

Ronald L. Smith said...

Oh man, the Sabriel trilogy is one of my favorites of all time! And the covers are fantastic.

You're right about the female empowerment aspect. She kicks ass and takes names, always looking out for herself, but compassionate along the way.

And how can someone not love Mogget?

The world is so rich and well-drawn. Just amazing.